*How Federal Policy. Causes Flood Disasters. Leslie A. Bond, CFM LA Bond Associates

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1 *How Federal Policy Causes Flood Disasters Leslie A. Bond, CFM LA Bond Associates

2 *The high cost of flood disasters *We do not know what floods cost. *Published estimates do not include all costs of disasters. *Economic losses are at least one to two times as high as the direct food damage. *Including economic losses pushes the average annual cost of flood disasters to $40 to $60 billion.

3 *The high cost of flood disasters *The National Weather Service estimates flood damage a year after a disaster, never goes back. *It takes FEMA at least 5 years to get good figures on the cost of infrastructure projects. *Other costs may take longer to be manifested.

4 *The high cost of flood disasters Average Annual Flood Damage by Decade (2010 $) $70.00 $60.00 $50.00 Damage $ Billions $40.00 $30.00 $20.00 $10.00 $ Years Damage Damage+100% Damage+200% Damage Trend 100% Trend 200% Trend

5 *The high cost of flood disasters $ Projected Average Annual Flood Damage (2010 $) $ Damage $ Billions $ $ $50.00 $ Damage Trend Years 100% Trend 200% Trend

6 *Reason for increasing flood damage: Increasing floodplain development *Research shows that from 1900 to 2005, hurricane damage is proportional to coastal development. *There is reason to think the same is true for riverine floodplains. *INCREASED FLOOD DAMAGE IS DUE TO FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT.

7 *How Federal Flood Policy Increases the Cost of Flood Disasters * It s OK to build in floodplains. *Taxpayers provide financial support for floodplain development and redevelopment. *Executive Order 11988: A good policy that is not implemented.

8 *Federal Flood Policy: It s OK to build in floodplains. *Federal floodplain maps. *Federal flood insurance. *Coastal and riverine construction standards. *Federal flood control projects.

9 *Federal Flood Policy: Financial support for floodplain development *Subsidized flood insurance. *Public disaster assistance. *Casualty loss clause in IRS rules.

10 *Federal Flood Policy: Failure to Enforce Executive Order *Executive Order adopted in *Each federal agency shall take action to reduce flood damage and restore and preserve natural floodplain functions. *Federal lands and facilities. *Federally financed projects. *Federal activities and projects.

11 *Federal Flood Policy: Failure to Enforce Executive Order *For the last 36 years, EO *Should have applied to all federal installations, including military bases. *Should have applied to most schools, hospitals, highways and other public works projects. *EO was not considered in appropriations for 2005 hurricanes, Sandy or other major flood disasters. *Was it applied to new DHS facilities on the Anacostia River?

12 *Federal Flood Policy: Poor Floodplain Management Standards *Using the best estimate underestimates flood hazard and increases flood damage. *Ignoring dams and levees understates flood hazard, increases flood damage. *Ignoring larger events (larger floods, tsunamis) increases flood damage. *Filling floodplains, channelizing rivers, building levees increase the flood hazard, flood damage.

13 *Federal Flood Policy: Inadequate Floodplain Maps *Floods are unique hazards because their locations can be mapped with precision. *Without good floodplain maps, we cannot manage floodplains. *Congress has never provided funds to map the nation s floodplains. *The NFIP has detailed maps for only 8% to 10% of our riverine floodplains.

14 *Federal Flood Policy: Inadequate Floodplain Maps *If all floodplains are not mapped, flood damage is higher than expected. *If SFHA is too small, flood damage is higher than expected. *If maps are out of date, flood damage is higher than expected. *FIRMs are created for flood insurance, not floodplain management.

15 *Federal Flood Policy: We All Pay *Under current federal flood policy, average annual flood damage will be between $140 and $220 billion by *By 2050, flood disasters will cost Americans between $3 and $5 trillion. *Taxpayers insure all uninsured flood damage through disaster assistance, tax relief and inflation.

16 *Federal Flood Policy: Summary *The total cost of flood disasters is much higher than has been reported. *The cost of flood disasters is rising rapidly. *Flood damage, and the total cost of disasters, is proportional to floodplain development.

17 *Federal Flood Policy: Summary *Current federal flood policy stimulates development and redevelopment of our floodplains. * It s OK to develop floodplains. *Providing financial incentives.

18 *Recommended Changes in Federal Flood Policy *More information at *Visit me at exhibit booth 525. *Questions and discussion?